PACO NEWS
LEGAL INSIGHTSLet's celebrate pro bono week! This year the American Bar Association is celebrating pro bono week from October 19 through October 25. To celebrate pro bono, Morgen Morrissette of the Legal Aid Society of Southeast and Central Ohio will join us on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at noon to discuss pro bono - how important it is, how paralegals can get involved, and how our work can positively impact clients. She'll give some specifics about pro bono work within the immigrant community. Registration is available on the website.
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Join us on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at noon when Kathryn Brooks from the Ohio State Bar Association will join us to discuss the OSBA Paralegal Certification Program. Registration is available on the website.
OSBA STUDY GROUP
The next OSBA Certification Exam Study Group will be October 28, 2025 at 6:30PM. Did you miss the first session in September? That's OK! Please reach out to Ashley Harris (harris.ashnic@gmail.com) if you haven't already registered and want to participate. All sessions will be held virtually. The study group is open to all Ohio paralegals planning to sit for the OSBA Certification Exam. There is no cost.
PACO ROUND TABLES
PACO is proud to announce that beginning in January 2026, we will be offering three practice area round tables! Our round tables will include Domestic Relations, Workers' Compensation, and Litigation and will be offered on a rotating monthly schedule. These round tables will be held virtually. Watch for more details regarding dates and times. Round tables will be free to PACO members and $5 each for guests.
PACO BOOK CLUB
PACO's Book Club is gearing up once again! Our next book will be Silence for the Dead by Simone St. James. Book Club will meet on Friday November 14, 2026 at Chocolate Cafe, 1855 Northwest Boulevard, Grandview. For more information, contact Randi Daniels-Blair at randi.daniels90@gmail.com.
NFPA HAPPENINGS
NFPA is offering a webinar on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 1PM EST titled Religious Exemptions and Employment Law, presented by Rochelle Arnold, a paralegal and freelance legal writer. Attendees of this webinar will receive an overview of religious exemptions as they apply to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of their sincerely held religious beliefs. Cost is $35. Registration: https://www.paralegals.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2000797&group=
PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES WITH LASCO
The Legal Aid Society of Southeast and Central Ohio is holding the following pro bono events:
Milo Grogan Expungement/Record Sealing Clinic - October 25, 2025 from 9AM to 4PM at 862 East Second Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201. Registration: https://oslsa.wufoo.com/forms/qnet5341al8tof/
Columbus Brief Advice Clinic at Jewish Family Services - November 3, 2025 from 5:30PM - 7PM at Jewish Family Services, 1070 College Avenue, Columbus, OH 43209. Registration: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A44AFAD2CAAF85-44838216-jewish#/
Columbus Brief Advice Clinic at Veterans Administration - November 13, 2025 from 9AM to 12PM at Department of Veterans Affairs, 650 North Cassidy Avenue, Columbus, OH 43219. Registration: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A44AFAD2CAAF85-vaclinic#/
Columbus Brief Advice Clinic at UALC - November 13, 2025 from 5:45PM - 8PM at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, 3500 Mill Run Drive, Hilliard, OH 43026. Registration: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A44AFAD2CAAF85-53553943-hilliard#/
Wills Clinic for Veterans - November 19, 2025 from 4PM - 8PM at VFW Post 9857, 2330 Stelzer Road, Columbus, OH 43219. Registration: https://oslsa.wufoo.com/forms/myw1x9n0yjb51r/
In addition, LASCO is holding the following CLE:
Wednesday, 10/29/25 from 12PM - 1:30PM: Basics and Best Practices in Guardianship Application Preparation. This CLE will cover the basics necessary for a volunteer to prepare a guardianship application for pro se applicants. Volunteers do not need any background in probate law, and representation is limited to assisting with pro se applications and general best practices. While discussion will include Franklin County specific practice, generally relevant information will be presented throughout the training, and all LASCO and LFK volunteers are welcome to attend. Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/TvBsE-adTcuZlMptG4DxoA#/registration
Thursday, 10/30/25 from 10AM to 12:15PM: Tax Debts are Scary. Learn the basics of helping taxpayers demonstrate they don't owe IRS debts, and explore options for resolving or reducing the debts they do owe. This program can be a valuable addition to your practice, but also an easy way to provide pro bono assistance. Tax representation lends itself well to remote work; no existing tax experience is necessary. Hundreds of taxpayers seeking help with federal tax issues go without legal services every year due to a lack of resources. This is a frightening and overwhelming experience for all of them. There is a great need for volunteers to become involved in helping these applicants in whatever way possible. Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/c1suZSXaQ0O4SbkPQsCqrw#/registration
Tuesday, 11/18/25 from 9AM-12PM: Preparing Wills, Advance Directives and Transfer on Death Affidavits for Pro Bono Clients. This CLE is being offered in partnership with the CBA. Registration: https://oslsa.wufoo.com/forms/q3qmqnx1b739k8/